I would appreciate any input from Comp Sci students in regards to their experiences in PENN Engineering. Also, any info about their undergrad experiences there in general.
Penn Engineering is excellent for the right student. Computer Science is the most popular major in SEAS right now. It is very rigorous, and a good balance of theory and practice. The extracurricular opportunities that are available to students are amazing.
Students are very good at Penn. If you are the type of student who likes to be with peers then it will be great. If you need to feel special like you are the smartest student in each class, then don’t go to Penn. Students also tend to be very involved in clubs activities and social life. That means schedules are very full.
Homework and projects can be extensive at times. You need to be able to hang tough. That is more about focus and mindset than anything else. It clearly isn’t for everyone.
Many students have minors or take classes in other schools. Mine has finished a math minor in CAS and has begun working on a statistics minor in Wharton.
The demand for Penn graduates is high. Last year the average grad had over 2 offers. Salaries of graduates are close to the highest in CS. The 2015 reported rase was $70k-135k, and the average was $98k. http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/careerservices/files/SEAS_2015SeniorCPSurvey.pdf
I should add that I may be able to be more helpful, if you have a specific question.
With the two minors you mentioned, will it be possible to finish in 4 years? Did your son or daughter have any trouble registering for classes that were needed? Is there a collaborative environment among the students in SEAS? Are the professors accessible? Are there lectures and seminars offered to help students decide where to focus within computer science? How is the advising? You mentioned amazing extracurriculars… can you give any specifics?
I appreciate any insight you have to offer.
1." With the two minors you mentioned, will it be possible to finish in 4 years?"
Yes, it is. However, it can depend on how may AP credits you have and how many courses you take per semester. Also she does have to prioritize the minors. She finished the math minor, and is partially done with a Stat minor but may not finish it because she has discovered that she can complete a MSE in only 1 added semester if she sub-matriculates, and schedules carefully, but that may cause her to be a couple classes short of the Stat minor. I told her the Stat classes she is taking are valuable whether she has an official minor or not, and she should pursue what she wants to pursue. If she stays on this path, she will graduate on-time in May with her BSE, and again that December with her MSE.
- "Did your son or daughter have any trouble registering for classes that were needed?" She hasn't had much difficulty with that. A little jostling but nothing important. For example she had to take a different English course that she initially planned once because her first choice was full, but it has not been a big problem.
3.“Is there a collaborative environment among the students in SEAS?”
Yes. Penn students tend to be sociable and collaborative. Students will work hard for a grade, but more like you are all in it together, not against one another. MIT is very much like that too.
- "Are the professors accessible?" Yes. She goes to see professors often. Penn is unusual in that all professors teach. Also, in SEAS, new material in classes can only be taught by a professor. Professors are not allowed to delegate lectures to grad assists.
- "Are there lectures and seminars offered to help students decide where to focus within computer science?" There are many lectures and opportunities to hear speakers and explore various topics in CS. You will also begin to develop preferences via classes. Additionally, most sophomores and juniors seem to be able to get internships. That is very helpful in exploring interests.
- "How is the advising?" For the first two years she had coffee once per month with her faculty advisor. For the first two years she had coffee once per month with her faculty advisor, he was amazing and a huge help. I understand that is not everyone's experience. I am sure it depends on which faculty advisor you get, but each student does have a faculty advisor.
- "You mentioned amazing extracurriculars... can you give any specifics?" -She has been involved in Hack4Impact. They create software to support non-profit organizations. She has gained a lot of hands on experience by doing that. -She has also been involved in Women in Computer Science. They have speakers, mentoring, a hack-a-thon. -Penn Apps is the largest college Hack-a-thon in the country. It is convenient to have that on campus. She isn't a huge hack-a-thon fan, but is good at it. Her Penn team of four students placed 3rd this summer at an invitation-only hack-a-thon at Facebook headquarters. That is typical of the quality of the peers you get at Penn. -She was a research assistant for a Wharton professor. -She went on a Tech-Treck. A group of 15-20 students visited tech companies in Silicon Valley. About half were SEAS students and half were from Wharton. She learned a lot about a number of tech companies. They were all companies with Penn Alumni in senior positions. I think it was a 5 or 6 day trip over fall or spring break.
Thank you so much. My son is trying to make his ED choice. This is very helpful. All the best of luck to your daughter.